Polyurethane and polyurethane-based mixed graft polymers and their use for producing coating materials, adhesives and sealing compounds

ABSTRACT

A hydrophilic or hydrophobic polyurethane containing on average per molecule at least one olefinically unsaturated structural unit selected from the group consisting of pendant, internal, and terminal, acyclic and cyclic terpene units; graft copolymers of the polyurethane with olefinically unsaturated monomers, processes for preparing the polyurethane and the graft copolymers, and their use for preparing coating materials, adhesives, and sealing compounds.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a National Phase Application of Patent Application PCT/EP02/10230 filed on 12 Sept. 2002, which claims priority to DE 101 45 266.7, filed on 14 Sep. 2001.

The present invention relates to novel polyurethanes and to novel polyurethane-based graft copolymers. The present invention further relates to novel processes for preparing polyurethanes and polyurethane-based graft copolymers. The present invention further relates to the use of the novel polyurethanes and of the novel polyurethane-based graft copolymers to prepare coating materials, adhesives, and sealing compounds. Furthermore, the present invention relates to novel coating materials, adhesives, and sealing compounds, especially aqueous coating materials, adhesives, and sealing compounds. The present invention relates not least to novel coats, adhesive films, and seals obtainable from the novel, especially aqueous, coating materials, adhesives, and sealing compounds. In particular the present invention relates to single-coat or multicoat decorative and/or protective coating systems, especially multicoat color and/or effect coating systems.

Polyurethane-based graft copolymers are known. They are normally prepared by the graft copolymerization of olefinically unsaturated monomers in the aqueous dispersion or the organic solution of a hydrophilic or hydrophobic polyurethane whose polymer chain includes terminal and/or lateral, olefinically unsaturated groups. Groups of this kind may be incorporated

-   -   into the polyurethane chain by way of maleic acid or fumaric         acid and/or their esters,     -   laterally to the polyurethane chain by way of compounds having         two isocyanate-reactive groups and at least one olefinically         unsaturated group or by way of compounds having two isocyanate         groups and at least one olefinically unsaturated group,     -   terminally to the polyurethane chain by way of compounds having         one isocyanate-reactive group and at least one olefinically         unsaturated group or by way of compounds having one isocyanate         group and at least one olefinically unsaturated group, or     -   by way of anhydrides of alpha,beta-unsaturated carboxylic acids.         By way of example, reference is made to the patent applications         and patents DE 197 22 862 C2, DE 196 45 761 A1, DE 199 48 004         A1, DE 199 53 446 A1, DE 199 53 445 A1, DE 199 53 203 A1, EP 0         401 565 A1, EP 0 522 420 A1, EP 0 522 419A2, EP 0 755 946A1, EP         0 608 021A1, EP 0 708 788A1 or EP 0 730 613 A1.

The known graft copolymers may be used as binders in one-component or multicomponent systems and may be curable physically, thermally with self-crosslinking or external crosslinking, or thermally and with actinic radiation.

In the context of the present invention, the property of hydrophilicity denotes the constitutional property of a molecule or functional group to penetrate into the aqueous phase or to remain therein. Accordingly, in the context of the present invention, the property of hydrophobicity denotes the constitutional property of a molecule or functional group to behave exophilically with respect to water, i.e., to tend not to penetrate into water or to tend to depart the aqueous phase. For further details, refer to Römpp Lexikon Lacke und Druckfarben, Georg Thieme Verlag, Stuttgart, N.Y., 1998, “Hydrophilicity”, “Hydrophobicity”, pages 294 and 295.

In the context of the present invention, the term “physical curing” means the curing of a polyurethane or of a graft copolymer by filming, linking taking place within a coating by way of formation of loops of the polymer molecules of the binders (regarding the term cf. Römpp Lexikon Lacke und Druckfarben, Georg Thieme Verlag, Stuttgart, New York, 1998, “Binders”, pages 73 and 74). Alternatively, filming takes place by the coalescence of polymer particles (cf. Römpp Lexikon Lacke und Druckfarben, Georg Thieme Verlag, Stuttgart, New York, 1998, “Curing”, pages 274 and 275). Normally, no crosslinking agents are required for this purpose. If desired, physical curing may be assisted by atmospheric oxygen, heat, or exposure to actinic radiation.

In the context of the present invention, the term “self-crosslinking” denotes the capacity of a binder to enter into crosslinking reactions with itself. A prerequisite for this is the presence in the polyurethanes and the graft copolymers of complementary reactive functional groups which react with one another and so lead to crosslinking. Alternatively, the polyurethanes and graft copolymers contain reactive functional groups which react “with themselves”. The term externally crosslinking, on the other hand, is used to refer to those polyurethanes and graft copolymers in which one variety of the complementary reactive functional groups is present in the polyurethanes and graft copolymers and the other variety is present in a hardener, curing agent or crosslinking agent. For further details, refer to Römpp Lexikon Lacke und Druckfarben, Georg Thieme Verlag, Stuttgart, New York, 1998, “Curing”, pages 274 to 276, especially page 275, bottom.

In the context of the present invention, actinic radiation is electromagnetic radiation, such as near infrared (NIR), visible light, UV radiation or X-radiation, especially UV radiation, and corpuscular radiation such as electron beams.

In the context of the present invention, two-component or multicomponent systems are coating materials, adhesives and sealing compounds whose crosslinking agent, owing to its high reactivity, has to be stored separately from other constituents of the coating materials, adhesives and sealing compounds prior to application.

The known polyurethane-based graft copolymers are used especially for the preparation of aqueous basecoat materials. The known aqueous basecoat materials serve primarily to produce color and/or effect basecoats in multicoat coating systems by the wet-on-wet technique, as described, for example, in the patents and patent applications recited above.

Nevertheless, the preparation of the known polyurethane-based graft copolymers may cause problems.

For instance, lateral and/or terminal allyl groups are often incorporated as grafting centers. However, the reactivity of the allyl groups is comparatively low. If the more reactive acrylate or methacrylate groups are used instead, gelling of the polyurethanes may occur before or during the graft copolymerization.

In some cases it is possible, not least, for the amount of olefinically unsaturated groups in the polyurethanes to prove too low for complete grafting, with the consequence that a large proportion of the monomers intended for grafting on forms separate homopolyrners and/or copolymers alongside the polyurethane, which may adversely affect the performance properties of the graft copolymers and of the coating materials, adhesives, and sealing compounds prepared with them. This disadvantage cannot be easily eliminated by raising the double-bond fraction in the polyurethanes to be grafted, since to do so is detrimental to other important performance properties of the polyurethanes.

For instance, in the case of overcoating with powder slurry clearcoat materials, the clearcoat may crack during baking and/or may undergo delamination, especially after the water jet test. Moreover, popping marks may appear.

Furthermore, the aqueous dispersions of the known graft copolymers frequently lack sufficient stability and tend to settle. These dispersions are then no longer suitable for the production of high-quality basecoats, since they give rise to gel specks and other comparable surface defects.

The German patent application DE 100 39 262.8, unpublished at the priority date of the present specification, describes hydrophilic or hydrophobic polyurethanes having at least one pendant and/or at least one terminal olefinically unsaturated group, in which

-   1. The Pendant Olefinically Unsaturated Group     -   1.1 is attached to a cycloaliphatic group which represents a         link in the polymer main chain, or     -   1.2 is present as a double bond in a cycloolefinic structure         which represents a link in the polymer main chain, and -   2. The Terminal Olefinically Unsaturated Group     -   2.1 is attached to a cycloaliphatic group which forms an end         group of the polymer main chain, or     -   2.2 is present as a double bond in a cycloolefinic structure         which forms an end group of the polymer main chain.

Also described is the preparation of graft copolymers on the basis of these polyurethanes.

The cycloaliphatic groups may be derived from any desired cycloaliphatics, in particular from cycloaliphatics having from 4 to 12 carbon atoms in the molecule.

The cycloolefinic groups or structures, similarly, may be derived from any desired cycloolefins, particularly from cycloolefins having from 4 to 12 carbon atoms in the molecule.

Examples given of highly suitable cycloaliphatics are cyclobutane, cyclopentane, cyclohexane, cycloheptane, cyclooctane, norbomane, bicyclo[2.2.2]octane, decalin, hydroindane, dicyclopentane, tricyclodecane or adamantane, but especially cyclohexane.

Examples given of highly suitable cycloolefins are cyclopentene, cyclohexene, cycloheptene, cyclooctene, norbomene, bicyclo[2.2.2]octene or dicyclopentene.

These groups and structures are introduced into the polyurethanes with particular preference by way of the

-   -   positionally isomeric vinyl-substituted polyhydroxy derivatives,         especially the dihydroxy derivatives, of cyclobutane,         cyclopentane, cyclohexane, cycloheptane, cyclooctane,         norbornane, bicyclo[2.2.2]octane, decalin, hydroindane,         dicyclopentane, tricyclodecane or adamantane, or the     -   positionally isomeric polyhydroxy derivatives, especially the         dihydroxy derivatives, of cyclopentene, cyclohexene,         cycloheptene, cyclooctene, norbornene, bicyclo[2.2.2]octene or         dicyclopentene.         Compounds said to be very particularly advantageous are the         positionally isomeric vinylcyclohexane diols         1-vinylcyclohexane-2,6,-, -3,6-, -4,6-, -2,3-, -3,4- and/or         -3,5-diol (“vinylcyclohexanediol”).

The introduction of olefinically unsaturated groups or structures by way of monoterpenes (C10) is not described in the German patent application DE 100 39 262.8, unpublished at the priority date of the present specification.

It is an object of the present invention to provide new hydrophilic and hydrophobic olefinically unsaturated polyurethanes which have not only terminal but also pendant and/or internal (chain-situated) olefinically unsaturated groups, which may be prepared simply and purposively without the risk of product damage, and which constitute excellent grafting bases for olefinically unsaturated monomers.

A further object of the present invention is to find a new process for preparing olefinically unsaturated polyurethanes which simply, purposively and without the risk of product damage provides hydrophilic or hydrophobic polyurethanes having pendant, internal and/or terminal olefinically unsaturated groups.

Another object of the present invention is to find new graft copolymers in the form of primary dispersions or secondary dispersions which may be prepared simply, purposively and without the risk of product damage.

The novel graft copolymers should be curable physically, thermally with self-crosslinking or external crosslinking, or thermally and with actinic radiation (dual cure).

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide new aqueous and nonaqueous, physically curing, thermally self-crosslinking or externally crosslinking, or heat- and actinic-curing, polyurethane-based coating materials, adhesives, and sealing compounds having very good performance properties. In particular the intention is to provide new coating materials, especially new aqueous coating materials, specifically new aqueous basecoat materials, from which the disadvantages of the prior art are now absent and which instead are outstandingly suitable for application by the wet-on-wet technique. In this context, even with the use of clearcoat slurries, there should be no cracking (mud cracking) in the clearcoats, delamination of the clearcoats after the water jet test, or popping marks or pinholes. The new coating materials should possess very good storage stability, outstanding application properties, such as very good leveling and very little tendency to run, even at high coat thicknesses, an outstanding overall visual appearance, and high chemical resistance and weathering stability. Moreover, the new coating materials, adhesives, and sealing compounds should have these advantageous properties both as one-component systems and as two-component or multicomponent systems.

The invention accordingly provides the novel hydrophilic or hydrophobic polyurethane containing on average per molecule at least one olefinically unsaturated structural unit selected from the group consisting of pendant, internal, and terminal, acyclic and cyclic terpene units, which is referred to below as the “polyurethane of the invention”.

The invention further provides the novel graft copolymer preparable by (co)polymerizing at least one olefinically unsaturated monomer in the presence of the polyurethane of the invention.

In the text below, the novel graft copolymer based on the polyurethane of the invention is referred to as the “graft copolymer of the invention”.

The invention additionally provides the novel adhesives, sealing compounds, and coating materials, in particular surface coating materials, especially aqueous coating materials, specifically aqueous basecoat materials, which comprise at least one polyurethane of the invention and/or at least one graft copolymer of the invention and which are referred to below as adhesives, sealing compounds, and coating materials of the invention.

Further subjects of the invention will emerge from the description.

In the light of the prior art it was surprising, and unforeseeable for the skilled worker, that the problem on which the present invention was based could be solved with the aid of the polyurethanes of the invention and/or of the graft copolymers of the invention.

A particular surprise was that the polyurethanes of the invention and the graft copolymers of the invention could be prepared simply and purposively without damage to the products of the invention. A further surprise was the extremely broad usefulness of the polyurethanes of the invention and of the graft copolymers of the invention, and also the high stability of the aqueous dispersions of the graft copolymers of the invention, which could be stored for a long time even at sharply and frequently changing temperatures without any settling of solids.

A further substantial and surprising advantage of the polyurethanes, graft copolymers, coating materials, adhesives, and sealing compounds of the invention was that they were substantially odorless or had a pleasant aroma.

It was totally unforeseeable that the graft copolymers of the invention, in particular, gave aqueous basecoat materials which could be processed together with clearcoat slurries by the wet-on-wet technique to form outstanding multicoat color and/or effect coating systems without any cracking (mud cracking) in the clearcoats, delamination of the clearcoats after the water jet test, or popping marks or pinholes.

The polyurethane of the invention comprises on average at least one, preferably at least two, pendant, internal and/or at least one terminal, olefinically unsaturated, acyclic and/or cyclic terpene unit(s). Alternatively expressed, the polyurethane of the invention comprises

-   -   at least one pendant, at least one internal or at least one         terminal     -   at least one pendant and at least one terminal     -   at least one pendant and at least one internal     -   at least one terminal and at least one internal         or     -   at least one terminal, at least one pendant, and at least one         internal olefinically unsaturated, acyclic and cyclic,         especially cyclic, terpene unit. In this context, the         polyurethanes of the invention which comprise at least one         terminal olefinically unsaturated terpene unit afford particular         advantages and are therefore particularly preferred in         accordance with the invention.

The polyurethane of the invention is hydrophobic or hydrophilic in the abovementioned sense. In terms of their use to prepare the graft copolymers of the invention, the hydrophilic polyurethanes of the invention afford advantages and are therefore used with preference.

The terpene units are preferably selected from the group consisting of monoterpene units (C10), sesquiterpene units (C15), and diterpene units (C20).

The monoterpene units are preferably selected from the group consisting of acyclic, monocyclic, and bicyclic, monovalent and polyvalent monoterpene radicals; more preferably from the group consisting of ocimene, myrcene, geraniol, nerol, linalool, citronellol, ipsenol, p-menthene, p-menthenone, alpha- and gamma-terpinene, terpinolene, alpha- and beta-phellandrene, limonene, carvone, carvenone, and camphene radicals; and with particular preference from the group consisting of p-menthene radicals. In particular, the monoterpene radical is the p-menth-1-en-8-yl radical.

The sesquiterpene units are preferably selected from the group consisting of acyclic, monocyclic, bicyclic, and tricyclic, monovalent and polyvalent sesquiterpene radicals; and more preferably from the group consisting of farnesol, nerolidol, hemandulcin, bisabolene, cadinene, beta-selinene, and alpha-santalene radicals.

The diterpene units are preferably selected from the group consisting of acyclic, monocyclic, bicyclic, tricyclic, and tetracyclic, monovalent and polyvalent diterpene radicals; and more preferably from the group consisting of phytol, vitamin A, camphorene, abietic acid, and dihydroabietic acid radicals.

In particular, p-menth-1-en-8-yl radicals are used.

The polyurethanes of the invention may be prepared by the customary and known methods of polymer chemistry. They are preferably prepared by the process of the invention.

In the process of the invention,

-   (i) at least one polyurethane prepolymer containing at least one, in     particular at least two, free isocyanate group(s) per molecule is     reacted with -   (ii) at least one terpene selected from the group consisting of     olefinically unsaturated, acyclic, and cyclic, monoterpenes (C10),     sesquiterpenes (C15), and diterpenes (C20) containing at least one,     especially one, isocyanate-reactive functional group.

The isocyanate-reactive functional groups are preferably selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl, thiol, and primary and/or secondary amino groups, and more preferably from the group consisting of hydroxyl and thiol groups. With particular preference, hydroxyl groups are used.

The isocyanate-reactive monoterpenes (i) are preferably selected from the group consisting of geraniol, nerol, linalool, and citronellol, ipsenol, p-menthenols, and p-menthenethiols, and also hydroxyl-, thiol-, and hydroxyl- and thiol-substituted ocimene, myrcene, p-menthenone, alpha- and gamma-terpinene, terpinolene, alpha- and beta-phellandrene, limonene, carvone, carvenone, and camphene; and more preferably from the group consisting of alpha-terpineol and 1-p-menthene-8-thiol. In particular, the isocyanate-reactive monoterpene is alpha-terpineol.

The isocyanate-reactive sesquiterpenes (i) are preferably selected from the group consisting of farnesol, nerolidol, and hernandulcin, and also hydroxyl-, thiol-, and hydroxyl- and thiol-substituted bisabolene, cadinene, beta-selinene, and alpha-santalene.

The isocyanate-reactive diterpenes (i) are preferably selected from the group consisting of phytol and vitamin A, and also hydroxyl-, thiol-, and hydroxyl- and thiol-substituted camphorene and hydroxyl-, thiol- and hydroxyl- and thiol-substituted abietic acid and dihydroabietic acid.

In particular, alpha-terpineol is used.

Where the terpene contains only one isocyanate-reactive functional group, the reaction results in a terminal terpene unit. Where, on the other hand, the terpene contains at least two isocyanate-reactive functional groups, the result is a pendant or an internal terpene unit.

Where an excess of isocyanate groups over the isocyanate-reactive groups is employed in the reaction, the terpenes containing at least two isocyanate-reactive functional groups are incorporated predominantly or exclusively into the polymer main chain or as side groups. Where, on the other hand, an excess of isocyanate-reactive functional groups over the isocyanate groups is employed, the terpenes containing at least two isocycanate-reactive functional groups are converted predominantly or exclusively into end groups.

Where the terpenes contain more than two isocyanate-reactive functional groups, the incorporated terpene units may form centers of branching.

The skilled worker is easily able to direct the reaction in such a way as to obtain polyurethanes of the invention having the desired structures. Of course, a given polyurethane of the invention may include a part or all of these structures.

The polyurethane prepolymer (i) is of linear, branched or comb, but especially linear, construction. In this context the linear polyurethane prepolymer (i) includes preferably two free isocyanate groups, especially two terminal free isocyanate groups. The branched or comb-constructed polyurethane prepolymers (i) include preferably at least two, in particular more than two, free isocyanate groups, terminal free isocyanate groups being preferred.

In terms of method, the preparation of the polyurethane prepolymers (i) for use in accordance with the invention has no special features but instead takes place, for example, as described in the patent applications and patents DE 197 22 862 C2, DE 196 45 761 A1, DE 199 48 004 A1, DE 199 53 446 A1, DE 199 53 445 A1, DE 199 53 203 A1, EP 0 401 565 A1, EP 0 522 420 A1, EP 0 522 419A2, EP 0 755 946A1, EP 0 608 021A1, EP 0 708 788A1 or EP 0 730 613 A1, by reaction of a polyol, especially a diol, with at least one polyisocyanate, especially a diisocyanate, the isocyanate component being employed in a molar excess.

For the preparation of the polyurethane prepolymers (i) it is preferred to use diisocyanates and also, if desired, in minor amounts, polyisocyanates, for the purpose of introducing branches. In the context of the present invention, minor amounts are amounts which do not cause gelling of the polyurethane prepolymers (i) during their preparation. This may also be prevented by using small amounts of monoisocyanates.

Examples of suitable diisocyanates are isophorone diisocyanate (i.e., 5-isocyanato-1-isocyanatomethyl-1,3,3-trimethylcyclohexane), 5-isocyanato-1-(2-isocyanato-1-yl)-1, 3,3- trimethylcyclohexane, 5-isocyanato-1-(3-isocyanatoprop-1-yl)-1,3,3-trimethylcyclohexane, 5-isocyanato-(4-isocyanatobut-1-yl)-1,3,3-trimethylcyclohexane, 1-isocyanato-2-(3-isocyanatoprop-1-yl)cyclohexane, 1-isocyanato-2-(3-isocyanatoeth-1-yl)cyclohexane, 1-isocyanato-2-(4-isocyanatobut-1-yl) cyclohexane, 1,2-diisocyanatocyclobutane, 1,3-diisocyanatocyclobutane, 1,2-diisocyanatocyclopentane, 1,3-diisocyanatocyclopentane, 1,2-diisocyanatocyclohexane, 1,3-diisocyanatocyclohexane, 1,4-diisocyanatocyclohexane, dicyclohexylmethane 2,4′-diisocyanate, trimethylene diisocyanate, tetramethylene diisocyanate, pentamethylene diisocyanate, hexamethylene diisocyanate, ethylethylene diisocyanate, trimethylhexane diisocyanate, heptamethylene diisocyanate or diisocyanates derived from dimeric fatty acids, as marketed under the commercial designation DDI 1410 by the company Henkel and described in patents WO 97/49745 and WO 97/49747, especially 2-heptyl-3,4-bis(9-isocyanatononyl)-1-pentylcyclohexane, or 1,2-, 1,4- or 1,3-bis(isocyanatomethyl)cyclohexane, 1,2-, 1,4- or 1,3-bis(2-isocyanatoeth-1-yl)cyclohexane, 1,3-bis(3-isocyanatoprop-1-yl)cyclohexane, 1,2-, 1,4- or 1,3-bis(4-isocyanatobut-1-yl)cyclohexane, liquid bis(4-isocyanatocyclohexyl)methane with a trans/trans content of up to 30% by weight, preferably 25% by weight, and in particular 20% by weight, as is described in patents DE 44 14 032 A1, GB 1 220 717 A, DE 16 18 795 A1 or DE 17 93 785 A1; tolylene diisocyanate, xylylene diisocyanate, bisphenylene diisocyanate, naphthylene diisocyanate or diphenylmethane diisocyanate.

Examples of suitable polyisocyanates are triisocyanates such as nonane triisocyanate (NTI) and also polyisocyanates based on the diisocyanates and triisocyanates described above, particularly oligomers containing isocyanurate, biuret, allophanate, iminooxadiazinedione, urethane, carbodiimide, urea and/or uretdione groups. Examples of suitable polyisocyanates of this kind, and processes for their preparation, are known, for example, from the patents and patent applications CA 2,163,591 A1, U.S. Pat. No. 4,419,513 A, U.S. Pat. No. 4,454,317 A, EP 0 646 608 A1, U.S. Pat. No. 4,801,675 A, EP 0 183 976 A1, DE 40 15 155 A1, EP 0 303 150 A1, EP 0 496 208 A1, EP 0 524 500 A1, EP 0 566 037 A1, U.S. Pat. No. 5,258,484 A, U.S. Pat. No. 5,290,902 A, EP 0 649 806 A1, DE 42 29 183 A1 or EP 0 531 820 A1.

Examples of highly suitable monoisocyanates are phenyl isocyanate, cyclohexyl isocyanate or stearyl isocyanate.

The polyurethane prepolymers (i) are also prepared using

-   -   saturated and unsaturated polyols of relatively high and low         molecular mass, especially diols and, in minor amounts, triols         for the purpose of introducing branches, and also, if desired,     -   compounds which introduce hydrophilic functional groups,     -   polyamines, and     -   amino alcohols.

Examples of suitable polyols are saturated or olefinically unsaturated polyester polyols which are prepared by reacting

-   -   unsulfonated or sulfonated saturated and/or unsaturated         polycarboxylic acids or their esterifiable derivatives, alone or         together with monocarboxylic acids, and     -   saturated and/or unsaturated polyols, alone or together with         monools.

Examples of suitable polycarboxylic acids are aromatic, aliphatic and cycloaliphatic polycarboxylic acids. Preference is given to the use of aromatic and/or aliphatic polycarboxylic acids.

Examples of suitable aromatic polycarboxylic acids are phthalic acid, isophthalic acid, terephthalic acid, phthalic, isophthalic or terephthalic acid monosulfonate, or halophthalic acids, such as tetrachlorophthalic or tetrabromophthalic acid, among which isophthalic acid is advantageous and is therefore used with preference.

Examples of suitable acyclic aliphatic or unsaturated polycarboxylic acids are oxalic acid, malonic acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid, adipic acid, pimelic acid, suberic acid, azelaic acid, sebacic acid, undecanedicarboxylic acid or dodecanedicarboxylic acid, or maleic acid, fumaric acid or itaconic acid, of which adipic acid, glutaric acid, azelaic acid, sebacic acid, dimeric fatty acids and maleic acid are advantageous and are therefore used with preference.

Examples of suitable cycloaliphatic and cyclic unsaturated polycarboxylic acids are 1,2-cyclobutanedicarboxylic acid, 1,3-cyclobutanedicarboxylic acid, 1,2-cyclopentanedicarboxylic acid, 1,3-cyclopentanedicarboxylic acid, hexahydrophthalic acid, 1,3-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid, 1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid, 4-methylhexahydrophthalic acid, tricyclodecanedicarboxylic acid, tetrahydrophthalic acid or 4-methyltetrahydrophthalic acid. These dicarboxylic acids may be used both in their cis and in their trans form and also as a mixture of both forms.

Further examples of suitable polycarboxylic acids are polymeric fatty acids, especially those having a dimer content of more than 90% by weight, which are also known as dimer fatty acids.

Also suitable are the esterifiable derivatives of the abovementioned polycarboxylic acids, such as their monoesters or polyesters with aliphatic alcohols having 1 to 4 carbon atoms or hydroxy alcohols having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, for example. It is also possible to use the anhydrides of the abovementioned polycarboxylic acids, where they exist.

Together with the polycarboxylic acids it is also possible if desired to use monocarboxylic acids, such as, for example, benzoic acid, tert-butylbenzoic acid, lauric acid, isononanoic acid, fatty acids of naturally occurring oils, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, ethacrylic acid or crotonic acid. The preferred monocarboxylic acid used is isononanoic acid.

Examples of suitable polyols are diols and triols, especially diols. Normally, triols are used alongside the diols in minor amounts in order to introduce branches into the polyester polyols. In the context of the present invention, minor amounts are amounts which do not cause gelling of the polyester polyols during their preparation.

Suitable diols are ethylene glycol, 1,2- or 1,3-propanediol, 1,2-, 1,3- or 1,4-butanediol, 1,2-, 1,3-, 1,4- or 1,5-pentanediol, 1,2-, 1,3-, 1,4-, 1,5- or 1,6-hexanediol, neopentyl hydroxypivalate, neopentyl glycol, diethylene glycol, 1,2-, 1,3- or 1,4-cyclohexanediol, 1,2-, 1,3- or 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol, trimethylpentanediol, ethylbutylpropanediol or the positionally isomeric diethyloctanediols. These diols may also be used per se for the preparation of the polyurethanes for use in accordance with the invention.

Further examples of suitable diols are diols of the formula I or II:

where R and R¹ are each an identical or different radical and are an alkyl radical having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an aryl radical or a cycloaliphatic radical, with the proviso that R and/or R¹ must not be methyl;

where R², R³, R⁴ and R⁶ are each identical or different radicals and are an alkyl radical having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a cycloalkyl radical or an aryl radical and R⁴ is an alkanediyl radical having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an arylene radical or an unsaturated alkenediyl radical having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and n is either 0 or 1.

Suitable diols I of the general formula I are all propanediols in which either R or R¹, or R and R¹ is or are not methyl, such as, for example, 2-butyl-2-ethyl-1,3-propanediol, 2-butyl-2-methyl-1,3-propanediol, 2-phenyl-2-methyl-1,3-propanediol, 2-propyl-2-ethyl-1,3-propanediol, 2-di-tert-butyl-1,3-propanediol, 2-butyl-2-propyl-1,3-propanediol, 1-dihydroxymethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptane, 2,2-diethyl-1,3-propanediol, 2,2-dipropyl-1,3-propanediol or 2-cyclohexyl-2-methyl-1,3-propanediol, et cetera.

Examples of diols II of the general formula II that may be used are 2,5-dimethyl-2,5-hexanediol, 2,5-diethyl-2,5-hexanediol, 2,5-diethyl-2,5-hexanediol, 2-ethyl-5-methyl-2,5-hexanediol, 2,4-dimethyl-2,4-pentanediol, 2,3-dimethyl-2,3-butanediol, 1,4-bis(2′-hydroxypropyl)benzene and 1,3-bis(2′-hydroxypropyl)benzene.

Of these diols, hexanediol and neopentyl glycol are particularly advantageous and are therefore used with particular preference.

The abovementioned diols may also be used per se to prepare the polyurethane prepolymers (i).

Examples of suitable triols are trimethylolethane, trimethylolpropane or glycerol, especially trimethylolpropane.

The abovementioned triols may also be used per se to prepare the polyurethane prepolymers (i) (cf. EP 0 339 433 A1).

If desired, minor amounts of monools may also be used. Examples of suitable monools are alcohols or phenols such as ethanol, propanol, n-butanol, sec-butanol, tert-butanol, amyl alcohols, hexanols, fatty alcohols, allyl alcohol, or phenol.

The polyester polyols may be prepared in the presence of small amounts of a suitable solvent as entrainer. Examples of entrainers used are aromatic hydrocarbons, such as especially xylene and (cyclo)aliphatic hydrocarbons, e.g., cyclohexane or methylcyclohexane.

Further examples of suitable polyols are polyester diols which are obtained by reacting a lactone with a diol. They are notable for the presence of terminal hydroxyl groups and repeating polyester fractions of the formula —(—CO—(CHR⁷)_(m)—CH₂—O—)—. Here, the index m is preferably from 4 to 6 and the substituent R⁷ is hydrogen or an alkyl, cycloalkyl, or alkoxy radical. No substituent contains more than 12 carbon atoms. The total number of carbon atoms in the substituent does not exceed 12 per lactone ring. Examples are hydroxycaproic acid, hydroxybutyric acid, hydroxydecanoic acid, and/or hydroxystearic acid.

Preferred for the preparation of the polyester diols is the unsubstituted epsilon-caprolactone, where m is 4 and all R⁷ substituents are hydrogen. The reaction with lactone is started by low molecular mass polyols such as ethylene glycol, 1,3-propanediol, 1,4-butanediol, or dimethylolcyclohexane. It is also possible, however, to react other reaction components, such as ethylenediamine, alkyldialkanolamines, or else urea, with caprolactone. Other suitable diols of relatively high molecular mass are polylactam diols, which are prepared by reacting, for example, epsiloncaprolactam with low molecular mass diols.

Further examples of suitable polyols include polyether polyols, especially those having a number-average molecular weight of from 400 to 5000, in particular from 400 to 3000. Examples of highly suitable polyether diols are polyether diols of the general formula H—(—O—(CHR⁸)_(o)—)_(p)OH, where the substituent R⁸ is hydrogen or a lower, unsubstituted or substitued alkyl radical, the index o is from 2 to 6, preferably from 3 to 4, and the index p is from 2 to 100, preferably from 5 to 50. Especially suitable examples are linear or branched polyether diols such as poly(oxyethylene) glycols, poly(oxypropylene) glycols, and poly(oxybutylene) glycols.

By means of the polyether diols it is possible to introduce nonionic hydrophilic functional groups into the main chain(s) of the polyurethane prepolymers (i).

Hydrophilic polyurethane prepolymers (i) comprise alternatively

-   -   hydrophilic functional groups convertible to cations by         neutralizing agents and/or quaternizing agents, and/or cationic         groups,         or     -   functional groups convertible to anions by neutralizing agents,         and/or anionic groups,         and/or     -   nonionic hydrophilic groups.

Examples of suitable functional groups for use in accordance with the invention and convertible to cations by neutralizing agents and/or quaternizing agents are primary, secondary or tertiary amino groups, secondary sulfide groups or tertiary phosphine groups, especially tertiary amino groups or secondary sulfide groups.

Examples of suitable cationic groups for use in accordance with the invention are primary, secondary, tertiary or quaternary ammonium groups, tertiary sulfonium groups or quaternary phosphonium groups, preferably quaternary ammonium groups or tertiary sulfonium groups, but especially tertiary ammonium groups.

Examples of suitable functional groups for use in accordance with the invention and convertible to anions by neutralizing agents are carboxylic acid, sulfonic acid or phosphonic acid groups, especially carboxylic acid groups.

Examples of suitable anionic groups for use in accordance with the invention are carboxylate, sulfonate or phosphonate groups, especially carboxylate groups.

Examples of suitable neutralizing agents for functional groups convertible to cations are organic and inorganic acids such as formic acid, acetic acid, lactic acid, dimethylolpropionic acid, citric acid, sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, and phosphoric acid.

Examples of suitable neutralizing agents for functional groups convertible to anions are ammonia or amines, such as trimethylamine, triethylamine, tributylamine, dimethylaniline, diethylaniline, triphenylamine, dimethylethanolamine, diethylethanol amine, methyldiethanol amine, 2-aminomethylpropanol, dimethylisopropylamine, dimethylisopropanolamine or triethanolamine, for example. Neutralization may take place in organic phase or in aqueous phase. Preferred neutralizing agents used are dimethylethanolamine and/or triethylamine.

The introduction of hydrophilic functional (potential) cationic groups into the polyurethane prepolymers (i) takes place by way of the incorporation of compounds which contain in the molecule at least one, especially two, isocyanate-reactive groups and at least one group capable of forming cations; the amount to be used may be calculated from the target amine number.

Suitable isocyanate-reactive functional groups are those described above.

Examples of suitable compounds of this kind are 2,2-dimethylolethyl- or -propylamine blocked with a ketone, the resultant ketoxime group being hydrolyzed again prior to the formation of the cationic group, or N,N-dimethyl-, N,N-diethyl- or N-methyl-N-ethyl-2,2-dimethylolethyl- or -propylamine.

The introduction of hydrophilic functional (potentially) anionic groups into the polyurethane prepolymers (i) takes place by way of the incorporation of compounds which contain in the molecule at least one isocyanate-reactive group and at least one group capable of forming anions; the amount to be used may be calculated from the target acid number.

Examples of suitable compounds of this kind are those containing two isocyanate-reactive groups in the molecule. Here again, suitable isocyanate-reactive groups are those described above. Accordingly it is possible, for example, to use alkanoic acids having two substituents on the alpha carbon atom. The substituent may be a hydroxyl group, an alkyl group, or, preferably, an alkylol group. These alkanoic acids have at least one, generally from 1 to 3, carboxyl groups in the molecule. They have 2 to about 25, preferably 3 to 10, carbon atoms. Examples of suitable alkanoic acids are dihydroxypropionic acid, dihydroxysuccinic acid, and dihydroxybenzoic acid. A particularly preferred group of alkanoic acids are the alpha,alpha-dimethylol-alkanoic acids of the general formula R⁹—C(CH₂OH)₂COOH, R⁹ being a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having up to about 20 carbon atoms. Examples of especially suitable alkanoic acids are 2,2-dimethylolacetic acid, 2,2-dimethylolpropionic acid, 2,2-dimethylolbutyric acid, and 2,2-dimethylolpentanoic acid. The preferred dihydroxyalkanoic acid is 2,2-dimethylolpropionic acid. Examples of compounds containing amino groups are alpha,omega-diaminovaleric acid, 3,4-diaminobenzoic acid, 2,4-diaminotoluenesulfonic acid, and 2,4-diaminodiphenyl ether sulfonic acid.

Hydrophilic functional nonionic poly(oxyalkylene) groups may be introduced as lateral or terminal groups into the polyurethane molecules. For this purpose it is possible to use not only the above-described polyether diols but also, for example, alkoxypoly(oxyalkylene) alcohols having the general formula R¹⁰O—(—CH₂—CHR¹¹—O—)_(r)H, where R¹⁰ is an alkyl radical having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, R¹¹ is a hydrogen atom or an alkyl radical having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and the index r is a number between 20 and 75 (cf. patents EP 0 354 261 A1 or EP 0 424 705 A1).

The hydrophilic functional groups are to be selected so as to rule out the possibility of any disruptive reactions, such as, for instance, salt formation or crosslinking with the functional groups that may be present in the other constituents of the polyurethane of the invention, of the graft copolymers of the invention, of the coating material of the invention, of the sealing compound of the invention, or of the adhesive of the invention. The skilled worker will therefore be able to make the selection in a simple manner on the basis of his or her knowledge in the art.

Of these hydrophilic functional (potentially) ionic groups and the hydrophilic functional nonionic groups, the (potentially) anionic groups are advantageous and are therefore used with particular preference.

To prepare the hydrophilic and the hydrophobic polyurethane prepolymers (i) it is possible to use polyamines and amino alcohols which bring about an increase in the molecular weight of the polyurethane prepolymers (i). The essential point in this context is that the polyamines and amino alcohols are employed in an amount such that there are still free isocyanate groups remaining in the molecule.

Examples of suitable polyamines have at least two primary and/or secondary amino groups. Polyamines are essentially alkylene polyamines having 1 to 40 carbon atoms, preferably about 2 to 15 carbon atoms. They may carry substituents which have no hydrogen atoms that are reactive with isocyanate groups. Examples are polyamines having a linear or branched aliphatic, cycloaliphatic or aromatic structure and at least two primary amino groups.

Diamines include hydrazine, ethylenediamine, propylenediamine, 1,4-butylenediamine, piperazine, 1,4-cyclohexyldimethylamine, 1,6-hexamethylenediamine, trimethylhexamethylenediamine, menthanediamine, isophoronediamine, 4,4′-diaminodicyclohexylmethane, and aminoethylethanolamine. Preferred diamines are hydrazine, alkyl- or cycloalkyldiamines such as propylenediamine and 1-amino-3-aminomethyl-3,5,5-trimethylcyclohexane.

It is also possible to use polyamines containing more than two amino groups in the molecule. In these cases, however, it should be ensured—for example, by using monoamines as well—that no crosslinked polyurethane resins are obtained. Polyamines of this kind which may be used are diethylenetriamine, triethylenetetramine, dipropylenediamine, and dibutylenetriamine. An example of a monoamine is ethylhexylamine (cf. patent EP 0 089 497 B 1).

Examples of suitable amino alcohols are ethanolamine and diethanolamine.

Furthermore, to prepare the hydrophilic and hydrophobic polyurethane prepolymers (i) it is possible to use customary and known compounds by means of which olefinically unsaturated groups are introduced. As is known, such compounds contain at least two isocyanate-reactive functional groups, especially hydroxyl groups, and at least one olefinically unsaturated group. Examples of suitable compounds of this kind are known from patent DE 197 22 862 C1 or patent applications DE 196 45 761 A1, EP 0 522 419 A1 or EP 0 522 420 A1. Where used, they are employed in minor amounts, so that the profile of properties of the polyurethanes of the invention is determined by the above-described olefinically unsaturated terpene units for use in accordance with the invention.

The preparation of the polyurethane prepolymers (i) from the constituents described above has no special features in terms of method but instead takes place in accordance with the customary and known methods of polyurethane chemistry, as known, for example, from the documents recited above.

The preparation of the polyurethanes of the invention from the above-described polyurethane prepolymers (i) and the above-described terpenes (ii) likewise has no special features in terms of method but instead takes place in bulk or in an inert organic medium, preferably in an inert organic medium, preference being given to the use of polar organic solvents.

It is essential that the reaction takes place until the free isocyanate group content in the reaction mixture stabilizes or until free isocyanate groups can no longer be detected. If free isocyanate groups are present after the reaction, they are preferably reacted with at least one polyol, polyamine and/or amino alcohol, as described above. This results in an extension of the chain of the polyurethane of the invention.

The amount of terpene units (ii) in the polyurethanes of the invention may vary very widely. Preferably it is from 0.01 to 30, more preferably from 0.1 to 25, with particular preference from 0.2 to 20, with very particular preference from 0.25 to 15, and in particular from 0.3 to 10% by weight, based in each case on the polyurethane of the invention.

The polyurethanes of the invention may be used as such to prepare coating materials, especially paints, and also adhesives and sealing compounds.

A particular advantage is that the polyurethanes of the invention, owing to their double bond content, may be used to prepare coating materials, especially paints, and also adhesives and sealing compounds, which may be cured with actinic radiation or by dual cure.

Where the polyurethanes of the invention are hydrophilic, it is of advantage in accordance with the invention to use them in the form of a dispersion in an aqueous medium. The aqueous medium contains essentially water. The aqueous medium may include minor amounts of organic solvents, neutralizing agents, crosslinking agents and/or customary coatings additives and/or other dissolved solid, liquid or gaseous organic and/or inorganic substances of low and/or high molecular mass. In the context of the present invention, the term “minor amount” means an amount which does not change the aqueous nature of the aqueous medium. The aqueous medium, however, may also comprise just water.

For the purpose of dispersion, the hydrophilic polyurethanes of the invention, containing the above-described (potentially) anionic or cationic hydrophilic functional groups, are neutralized with at least one of the above-described neutralizing agents and subsequently are dispersed. In the case of the hydrophilic polyurethanes of the invention which contain only the nonionic hydrophilic functional groups, the use of neutralizing agents is unnecessary.

The resultant secondary polyurethane dispersions of the invention are likewise outstandingly suited to the preparation of aqueous coating materials, adhesives, and sealing compounds. In particular, they are suitable for preparing the graft copolymers of the invention.

The graft copolymers of the invention are preparable by (co)polymerizing at least one olefinically unsaturated monomer in the presence of at least one polyurethane of the invention.

If hydrophilic polyurethanes and predominantly hydrophobic monomers are employed in this preparation, this results in finely divided graft copolymers of the invention having a hydrophobic core comprising at least one copolymerized olefinically unsaturated monomer and a hydrophilic shell comprising or consisting of at least one hydrophilic polyurethane of the invention. This variant of the graft copolymers of the invention is prepared by dispersing at least one hydrophilic polyurethane of the invention in an aqueous medium, and subsequently free-radically (co)polymerizing at least one hydrophobic, olefinically unsaturated monomer in its presence in emulsion.

If, on the other hand, hydrophobic polyurethanes and predominantly hydrophilic monomers are employed, the result is finely divided graft copolymers of the invention having a hydrophobic core comprising or consisting of at least one hydrophobic polyurethane of the invention and a hydrophilic shell comprising at least one hydrophilic, olefinically unsaturated monomer in copolymerized form. This variant is prepared by dispersing at least one hydrophobic polyurethane of the invention in an aqueous medium. Advantageously, this is done in a strong shear field. Viewed in terms of its method, this process has no special features, but instead may take place, for example, in accordance with the dispersion techniques described in the European patent application EP 0 401 565 A1. According to this, at least one hydrophilic, olefinically unsaturated monomer is (co)polymerized in the presence of the dispersed hydrophobic polyurethanes of the invention.

All conceivable gradations of the hydrophilicity and, respectively, the hydrophobicity of the polyurethanes of the invention on the one hand and of the monomers on the other, between these two extremes, are possible, so that it is also possible for graft copolymers of the invention to result which have no, or no pronounced, core-shell structure.

Furthermore, the graft copolymers of the invention may be prepared using the (co)polymerization processes described below.

Examples of hydrophilic and hydrophobic monomers suitable for preparing the graft copolymers of the invention are the following:

Monomers (1):

Hydroxyalkyl esters of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid or another alpha,beta-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid which are derived from an alkylene glycol which is esterified with the acid, or are obtainable by reacting the acid with an alkylene oxide, especially hydroxyalkyl esters of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid or ethacrylic acid in which the hydroxyalkyl group contains up to 20 carbon atoms, such as 2-hydroxyethyl, 2-hydroxypropyl, 3-hydroxypropyl, 3-hydroxybutyl, 4-hydroxybutyl acrylate, methacrylate, ethacrylate or crotonate; 1,4-bis(hydroxymethyl)cyclohexane, octahydro-4,7-methano-1H-indenedimethanol or methylpropanediol monoacrylate, monomethacrylate, monoethacrylate or monocrotonate; or reaction products of cyclic esters, such as epsilon-caprolactone, for example, and these hydroxyalkyl esters; or olefinically unsaturated alcohols such as allyl alcohol or polyols such as trimethylolpropane monoallyl or diallyl ether or pentaerythritol monoallyl, diallyl or triallyl ether. These monomers (1) of higher functionality are generally used only in minor amounts. In the context of the present invention, minor amounts of higher-functional monomers here are amounts which do not result in the crosslinking or gelling of the polyacrylate resins. Thus, for example, the proportion of trimethylolpropane monoallyl ether may be from 2 to 10% by weight, based on the overall weight of the monomers (1) to (6) used.

Monomers (2):

(Meth)acrylic alkyl or cycloalkyl esters having up to 20 carbon atoms in the alkyl radical, especially methyl, ethyl, propyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, hexyl, ethylhexyl, stearyl and lauryl acrylate or methacrylate; cycloaliphatic (meth)acrylic esters, especially cyclohexyl, isobomyl, dicyclopentadienyl, octahydro-4,7-methano-1H-indenemethanol or tert-butylcyclohexyl (meth)acrylate; (meth)acrylic oxaalkyl esters or oxacycloalkyl esters such as ethyltriglycol (meth)acrylate and methoxyoligoglycol (meth)acrylate having a molecular weight Mn of preferably 550; or other ethoxylated and/or propoxylated hydroxyl-free (meth)acrylic acid derivatives. These may include, in minor amounts, higher-functional (meth)acrylic alkyl or cycloalkyl esters such as ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, butylene glycol, 1,5-pentanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, octahydro-4,7-methano-1H-indenedimethanol or cyclohexane-1,2-, -1,3- or -1,4-diol di(meth)acrylate; trimethylolpropane di- or tri(meth)acrylate; or pentaerythritol di-, tri- or tetra(meth)acrylate. In the context of the present invention, minor amounts of higher-functional monomers (2) here are amounts which do not cause crosslinking or gelling of the polyacrylate resins.

Monomers (3):

Ethylenically unsaturated monomers which carry at least one acid group, preferably a carboxyl group, per molecule, or a mixture of such monomers. As monomers (3) it is particularly preferred to use acrylic acid, carboxyethyl acrylate and/or methacrylic acid. It is also possible, however, to use other ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acids having up to 6 carbon atoms in the molecule. Examples of such acids are ethacrylic acid, crotonic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, and itaconic acid. It is also possible to use ethylenically unsaturated sulfonic or phosphonic acids, and/or their partial esters, as component (3). Further suitable monomers (3) include mono(meth)acryloyloxyethyl maleate, succinate, and phthalate.

Monomers (4):

Vinyl esters of alpha-branched monocarboxylic acids having 5 to 18 carbon atoms in the molecule. The branched monocarboxylic acids may be obtained by reacting formic acid or carbon monoxide and water with olefins in the presence of a liquid, strongly acidic catalyst; the olefins may be cracking products from paraffinic hydrocarbons, such as mineral oil fractions, and may contain both branched and straight-chain acyclic and/or cycloaliphatic olefins. In the reaction of such olefins with formic acid and/or with carbon monoxide and water, a mixture of carboxylic acids is formed in which the carboxyl groups are located predominantly on a quaternary carbon atom. Other olefinic starting materials are, for example, propylene trimer, propylene tetramer, and diisobutylene. Alternatively, the vinyl esters may be prepared in a conventional manner from the acids, for example, by reacting the acid with acetylene. Particular preference—owing to their ready availability—is given to the use of vinyl esters of saturated aliphatic monocarboxylic acids having 9 to 11 carbon atoms and being branched on the alpha carbon atom.

Monomers (5):

Reaction product of acrylic acid and/or methacrylic acid with the glycidyl ester of an alpha-branched monocarboxylic acid having 5 to 18 carbon atoms per molecule. The reaction of the acrylic or methacrylic acid with the glycidyl ester of a carboxylic acid having a tertiary alpha carbon atom may take place before, during or after the polymerization reaction. As monomer (5) it is preferred to use the reaction product of acrylic and/or methacrylic acid with the glycidyl ester of Versatic® acid. This glycidyl ester is obtainable commercially under the name Cardura® E10. For further details, refer to Römpp Lexikon Lacke und Druckfarben, Georg Thieme Verlag, Stuttgart, N.Y., 1998, pages 605 and 606.

Monomers (6):

Ethylenically unsaturated monomers substantially free from acid groups, such as

-   -   olefins such as ethylene, propylene, 1-butene, 1-pentene,         1-hexene, cyclohexene, cyclopentene, norbomene, butadiene,         isoprene, cyclopentadiene and/or dicyclopentadiene;     -   (meth)acrylamides such as (meth)acrylamide, N-methyl-,         N,N-dimethyl-, N-ethyl-, N,N-diethyl-, N-propyl-, N,N-dipropyl,         N-butyl-, N,N-dibutyl-, N-cyclohexyl- and/or         N,N-cyclohexyl-methyl-(meth)acrylamide;     -   monomers containing epoxide groups, such as the glycidyl ester         of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, ethacrylic acid, crotonic         acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid and/or itaconic acid;     -   vinylaromatic hydrocarbons, such as styrene,         alpha-alkylstyrenes, especially alpha-methylstyrene, and/or         vinyltoluene;     -   diarylethylenes, especially those of the general formula III:         R¹²R¹³C═CR¹⁴R¹⁵  (III)         where the radicals R¹², R¹³, R¹⁴ and R¹⁵ each independently of         one another are hydrogen atoms or substituted or unsubstituted         alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkylcycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, aryl,         alkylaryl, cycloalkylaryl, arylalkyl or arylcycloalkyl radicals,         with the proviso that at least two of the variables R¹², R¹³,         R¹⁴ and R¹⁵ are substituted or unsubstituted aryl, arylalkyl or         arylcycloalkyl radicals, especially substituted or unsubstituted         aryl radicals. Examples of suitable alkyl radicals are methyl,         ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, amyl,         hexyl or 2-ethylhexyl. Examples of suitable cycloalkyl radicals         are cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl or cyclohexyl. Examples of suitable         alkylcycloalkyl radicals are methylenecyclohexane,         ethylenecyclohexane, or 1,3-propanediylcyclohexane. Examples of         suitable cyloalkylalkyl radicals are 2-, 3- or 4-methyl-,         -ethyl-, -propyl- or -butylcyclohex-1-yl. Examples of suitable         aryl radicals are phenyl, naphthyl or biphenylyl, preferably         phenyl and naphthyl, and especially phenyl. Examples of suitable         alkylaryl radicals are benzyl or ethylene- or         1,3-propanediylbenzene. Examples of suitable cycloalkylaryl         radicals are 2-, 3- or 4-phenylcyclohex-1-yl. Examples of         suitable arylalkyl radicals are 2-, 3- or 4-methyl-, -ethyl-,         -propyl- or -butylphen-1-yl. Examples of suitable arylcycloalkyl         radicals are 2-, 3- or 4-cyclohexylphen-1-yl. The aryl radicals         R¹², R¹³, R¹⁴ and/or R¹⁵ are preferably phenyl or naphthyl         radicals, especially phenyl radicals. The substituents that may         be present in the radicals R¹², R¹³, R¹⁴ and/or R¹⁵ are         electron-withdrawing or electron-donating atoms or organic         radicals, especially halogen atoms, nitrile, nitro, partially or         fully halogenated alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkylcycloalkyl,         cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, alkylaryl, cycloalkylaryl, arylalkyl and         arylcycloalkyl radicals; aryloxy, alkyloxy and cycloalkyloxy         radicals; arylthio, alkylthio and cycloalkylthio radicals,         and/or primary, secondary and/or tertiary amino groups.         Diphenylethylene, dinaphthaleneethylene, cis- or trans-stilbene,         vinylidenebis(4-N,N-dimethylaminobenzene),         vinylidenebis(4-aminobenzene) or vinylidenebis(4-nitrobenzene),         especially diphenylethylene (DPE), are particularly advantageous         and so are used with preference. Preferably, these monomers (6)         are used not as the sole monomers but rather always together         with other monomers, in which case they regulate the         copolymerization advantageously such that free-radical         copolymerization in batch mode is also possible;     -   nitriles such as acrylonitrile and/or methacrylonitrile;     -   vinyl compounds such as vinyl chloride, vinyl fluoride,         vinylidene dichloride, vinylidene difluoride;         N-vinylpyrrolidone; vinyl ethers such as ethyl vinyl ether,         n-propyl vinyl ether, isopropyl vinyl ether, n-butyl vinyl         ether, isobutyl vinyl ether and/or vinyl cyclohexyl ether; vinyl         esters such as vinyl acetate, vinyl propionate, vinyl butyrate,         vinyl pivalate, vinyl esters of Versatic® acids, which are         marketed under the brand name VeoVa® by the company Deutsche         Shell Chemie (for further details, refer to Römpp Lexikon Lacke         und Druckfarben, Georg Thieme Verlag, Stuttgart, New York, 1998,         page 598 and also pages 605 and 606), and/or the vinyl ester of         2-methyl-2-ethylheptanoic acid; and/or     -   polysiloxane macromonomers having a number-average molecular         weight Mn of from 1000 to 40,000, preferably from 2000 to         20,000, with particular preference from 2500 to 10,000, and in         particular from 3000 to 7000, and having on average from 0.5 to         2.5, preferably from 0.5 to 1.5, ethylenically unsaturated         double bonds per molecule, as are described in DE 38 07 571 A1         on pages 5 to 7, in DE 37 06 095 A1 in columns 3 to 7, in EP 0         358 153 B1 on pages 3 to 6, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,754,014 A in         columns 5 to 9, in DE 44 21 823 A1, or in international patent         application WO 92/22615 on page 12, line 18 to page 18, line 10,         or acryloxysilane-containing vinyl monomers, preparable by         reacting hydroxy-functional silanes with epichlorohydrin and         then reacting the reaction product with methacrylic acid and/or         hydroxyalkyl esters of (meth)acrylic acid.

From these suitable monomers described above by way of example, the skilled worker is easily able to select, on the basis of their known physicochemical properties and reactivities, the hydrophilic or hydrophobic monomers that are particularly suitable for the intended use in question. If desired, he or she may for this purpose conduct a few preliminary rangefinding experiments. In particular, he or she will be careful to ensure that the monomers contain no functional groups, especially (potentially) ionic functional groups, which enter into unwanted interactions with the (potentially) ionic functional groups in the hydrophilic polyurethanes of the invention.

In accordance with the invention, particular advantages result if the monomers are selected such that the profile of properties of the grafted (co)polymers is determined essentially by the above-described hydrophilic or hydrophobic (meth)acrylate monomers, the other monomers advantageously providing broad variation of this profile of properties.

In accordance with the invention, very particular advantages result from using mixtures of the monomers (1), (2) and (6) and also, if desired, (3).

Viewed in terms of method, the preparation of the graft copolymers of the invention has no special features but instead takes place in accordance with the customary and known methods of free-radical (co)polymerization in bulk, solution or emulsion in the presence of at least one polymerization initiator.

Where the (co)polymerization takes place in bulk or solution, the graft copolymer of the invention may be used or processed further in this form. In particular, it is dispersed in an aqueous medium, so giving a secondary dispersion of the invention.

The (co)polymerization is preferably conducted in emulsion, such as is described, for example, in patent DE 197 22 862 C1 or in patent applications DE 196 45 761 A1, EP 0 522 419 A1 or EP 0 522 420 A1, or in miniemulsion or microemulsion. Regarding miniemulsion and microemulsion, reference is made, for further details, to the patent applications and the literature references DE 196 28 142 A1, DE 196 28 143 A1 or EP 0 401 565 A1, Emulsion Polymerization and Emulsion Polymers, editors P. A. Lovell and Mohamed S. El-Aasser, John Wiley and Sons, Chichester, N.Y., Weinheim, 1997, pages 700 et seq.; Mohamed S. El-Aasser, Advances in Emulsion Polymerization and Latex Technology, 30th Annual Short Course, Volume 3, Jun. 7–11, 1999, Emulsion Polymers Institute, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pa., U.S.A. In the case of (co)polymerization in emulsion, miniemulsion or microemulsion, the graft copolymers of the invention are obtained in the form of primary dispersions of the invention.

Suitable reactors for the (co)polymerization processes are the customary and known stirred vessels, cascades of stirred vessels, tube reactors, loop reactors or Taylor reactors, as described, for example, in patents DE-B-1 071 241 A1, EP 0 498 583 A1 or DE 198 28 742 A1 or in the article by K. Kataoka in Chemical Engineering Science, Volume 50, No. 9, 1995, pages 1409 to 1416.

The (co)polymerization is advantageously conducted at temperatures above room temperature and below the lowest decomposition temperature of the monomers used in each case, the temperature range chosen being preferably from 30 to 180° C., with very particular preference from 70 to 150° C., and in particular from 80 to 110° C.

Where especially volatile monomers and/or emulsions are used, the (co)polymerization may also be conducted under superatmospheric pressure, preferably under from 1.5 to 3000 bar, with particular preference from 5 to 1500 bar, and in particular from 10 to 1000 bar.

Examples of suitable polymerization initiators are initiators which form free radicals, such as dialkyl peroxides, such as di-tert-butyl peroxide or dicumyl peroxide; hydroperoxides, such as cumene hydroperoxide or tert-butyl hydroperoxide; peresters, such as tert-butyl perbenzoate, tert-butyl perpivalate, tert-butyl per-3,5,5-trimethylhexanoate, or tert-butyl per-2-ethylhexanoate; potassium, sodium or ammonium peroxodisulfate; azo dinitriles such as azobisisobutyronitrile; C—C-cleaving initiators such as benzpinacol silyl ethers; or a combination of a nonoxidizing initiator with hydrogen peroxide. Preference is given to the use of water-insoluble initiators. The initiators are used preferably in an amount of from 0.1 to 25% by weight, with particular preference from 2 to 10% by weight, based on the overall weight of the monomers.

In the graft copolymers of the invention the proportion of core to shell or of polyurethane of the invention to grafted-on monomers may vary extremely widely, which is a particular advantage of the graft copolymers of the invention. This ratio is preferably from 1:100 to 100:1, more preferably from 1:50 to 50:1, with particular preference from 30:1 to 1:30, with very particular preference from 20:1 to 1:20, and in particular from 10:1 to 1:10.

The graft copolymers of the invention may be isolated from the primary dispersions or the organic solutions in which they are produced and may be passed on for a very wide variety of end uses, especially in solventbome, water- and solvent-free pulverulent solid or water- and solvent-free liquid coating materials, adhesives, and sealing compounds. In accordance with the invention, however, it is of advantage to use the primary dispersions as such to prepare aqueous coating materials, adhesives, and sealing compounds.

In addition to the polyurethanes of the invention and the graft copolymers of the invention, the aqueous adhesives of the invention may comprise further suitable customary and known constituents in effective amounts. Examples of suitable constituents are the crosslinking agents and additives described below, provided they are suitable for preparing adhesives.

In addition to the polyurethanes of the invention and the graft copolymers of the invention, the aqueous sealing compounds of the invention may likewise comprise further suitable customary and known constituents in effective amounts. Examples of suitable constituents are likewise the crosslinking agents and additives described below, provided they are suitable for preparing sealing compounds.

The primary and secondary dispersions of the graft copolymers of the invention are especially suitable for preparing the aqueous coating materials of the invention, especially the aqueous surface coating materials of the invention. Examples of aqueous surface coating materials of the invention are primer-surfacers, solid-color topcoats, aqueous basecoats, and clearcoats. The primary dispersions of the invention develop very particular advantages when used to prepare the aqueous basecoats of the invention.

In the aqueous basecoats of the invention, the polyurethanes and/or the graft copolymers of the invention, but especially the graft copolymers of the invention, are present advantageously in an amount of from 1.0 to 50, preferably from 2.0 to 40, with particular preference from 3.0 to 35, with very particular preference from 4.0 to 30, and in particular from 5.0 to 25% by weight, based in each case on the overall weight of the respective aqueous basecoat of the invention.

The further essential constituent of the aqueous basecoat of the invention is at least one color and/or effect pigment. The pigments are preferably selected from the group consisting of customary and known organic and inorganic, color and/or effect, electrically conductive, magnetically shielding, and fluorescent pigments, metal powder, and customary and known, organic and inorganic fillers and nanoparticles.

On the basis of this large number of appropriate pigments, therefore, the aqueous basecoat material of the invention ensures a universal breadth of use and permits the realization of a large number of shades and optical and physical effects.

Examples of suitable effect pigments are metal flake pigments such as commercially customary aluminum bronzes, aluminum bronzes chromated in accordance with DE 36 36 183 A1, and commercially customary stainless steel bronzes, and also nonmetallic effect pigments, such as pearlescent and interference pigments, for example, platelet-shaped effect pigments based on iron oxide with a shade ranging from pink to brownish red, or liquid-crystalline effect pigments. For further details, refer to Römpp Lexikon Lacke und Druckfarben, Georg Thieme Verlag, 1998, page 176, “Effect pigments” and pages 380 and 381, “Metal oxide-mica pigments” to “Metal pigments”, and to the patent applications and patents DE 36 36 156 A1, DE 37 18 446 A1, DE 37 19 804 A1, DE 39 30 601 A1, EP 0 068 311 A1, EP 0 264 843 A1, EP 0 265 820 A1, EP 0 283 852 A1, EP 0 293 746 A1, EP 0 417 567 A1, U.S. Pat. No. 4,828,826 A or U.S. Pat. No. 5,244,649 A.

Examples of suitable inorganic color pigments are white pigments such as titanium dioxide, zinc white, zinc sulfide or lithopones; black pigments such as carbon black, iron manganese black or spinel black; chromatic pigments such as chromium oxide, chromium oxide hydrate green, cobalt green or ultramarine green, cobalt blue, ultramarine blue or manganese blue, ultramarine violet or cobalt and manganese violet, red iron oxide, cadmium sulfoselenide, molybdate red or ultramarine red; brown iron oxide, mixed brown, spinel phases and corundum phases or chrome orange; or yellow iron oxide, nickel titanium yellow, chrome titanium yellow, cadmium sulfide, cadmium zinc sulfide, chrome yellow or bismuth vanadate.

Examples of suitable organic color pigments are monoazo pigments, disazo pigments, anthraquinone pigments, benzimidazole pigments, quinacridone pigments, quinophthalone pigments, diketopyrrolopyrrole pigments, dioxazine pigments, indanthrone pigments, isoindoline pigments, isoindolinone pigments, azomethine pigments, thioindigo pigments, metal complex pigments, perinone pigments, perylene pigments, phthalocyanine pigments or aniline black.

For further details, refer to Römpp Lexikon Lacke und Druckfarben, Georg Thieme Verlag, 1998, pages 180 and 181, “Iron blue pigments” to “Black iron oxide”, pages 451 to 453, “Pigments” to “Pigment volume concentration”, page 563, “Thioindigo pigments”, page 567, “Titanium dioxide pigments”, pages 400 and 467, “Naturally occurring pigments”, page 459, “Polycyclic pigments”, page 52, “Azomethine pigments”, “Azo pigments”, and page 379, “Metal complex pigments”.

Examples of fluorescent pigments (daylight-fluorescent pigments) are bis(azomethine) pigments.

Examples of suitable electrically conductive pigments are titanium dioxide/tin oxide pigments.

Examples of magnetically shielding pigments are pigments based on iron oxides or chromium dioxide.

Examples of suitable metal powders are powders of metals and metal alloys such as aluminum, zinc, copper, bronze or brass.

Examples of suitable organic and inorganic fillers are chalk, calcium sulfates, barium sulfate, silicates such as talc, mica or kaolin, silicas, oxides such as aluminum hydroxide or magnesium hydroxide, or organic fillers such as polymer powders, especially those of polyamide or polyacrylonitrile. For further details, refer to Römpp Lexikon Lacke und Druckfarben, Georg Thieme Verlag, 1998, pages 250 ff., “Fillers”.

Preference is given to employing mica and talc if the scratch resistance of the coatings produced from the coating materials of the invention is to be improved.

It is further advantageous to use mixtures of platelet-shaped inorganic fillers such as talc or mica and nonplatelet-shaped inorganic fillers such as chalk, dolomite, calcium sulfates or barium sulfate, since by this means the viscosity and rheology can be adjusted very effectively.

Examples of suitable transparent fillers are those based on silicon dioxide, aluminum oxide or zirconium oxide.

Suitable nanoparticles are selected from the group consisting of hydrophilic and hydrophobic, especially hydrophilic, nanoparticles based on silicon dioxide, aluminum oxide, zinc oxide, zirconium oxide, and the polyacids and heteropolyacids of transition metals, preferably of molybdenum and tungsten, having a primary particle size <50 nm, preferably from 5 to 50 nm, in particular from 10 to 30 nm. The hydrophilic nanoparticles preferably have no flatting effect. Particular preference is given to using nanoparticles based on silicon dioxide.

Very particular preference is given to using hydrophilic pyrogenic silicas, whose agglomerates and aggregates have a chainlike structure and which are preparable by the flame hydrolysis of silicon tetrachloride in an oxyhydrogen flame. These silicas are sold, for example, by Degussa under the brand name Aerosil®. Very particular preference is given as well to using precipitated waterglasses, such as nanohectorites, which are sold, for example, by Südchemie under the brand name Optigel® or by Laporte under the brand name Laponite®.

The fraction of the pigments in the aqueous basecoat material of the invention may vary extremely widely and is guided in particular by the opacity of the pigments, by the desired shade, and by the desired optical and/or physical effect. Preferably, the pigments are present in the aqueous basecoat material of the invention in an amount of from 0.5 to 50, more preferably from 0.5 to 45, with particular preference from 0.5 to 40, with very particular preference from 0.5 to 35, and in particular from 0.5 to 30% by weight, based in each case on the overall weight of the aqueous basecoat material of the invention. In this context, the pigment/binder ratio, i.e., the ratio of the pigments to the polyurethanes of the invention and/or to the graft copolymers of the invention, and also other binders that may be present, may vary extremely widely. Preferably, this ratio is from 6.0:1.0 to 1.0:50, more preferably from 5:1.0 to 1.0:50, with particular preference from 4.5:1.0 to 1.0:40, with very particular preference from 4:1.0 to 1.0:30, and in particular from 3.5:1.0 to 1.0:25.

These pigments may also be incorporated into the aqueous basecoat materials of the invention by way of pigment pastes, in which case suitable grinding resins include, inter alia, the polyurethanes of the invention and/or the graft copolymers of the invention.

These pigments, except the optically transparent ones, are omitted when the coating material of the invention is used as a clearcoat material.

The coating material of the invention, especially the aqueous basecoat material of the invention, may comprise at least one crosslinking agent.

Examples of suitable crosslinking agents are amino resins, as described for example in Römpp Lexikon Lacke und Druckfarben, Georg Thieme Verlag, 1998, page 29, “Amino resins”, in the textbook “Lackadditive” [Additives for coatings] by Johan Bieleman, Wiley-VCH, Weinheim, N.Y., 1998, pages 242 et seq., in the book “Paints, Coatings and Solvents”, second, completely revised edition, edited by D. Stoye and W. Freitag, Wiley-VCH, Weinheim, N.Y., 1998, pages 80 ff., in patents U.S. Pat. No. 4 710 542 A1 or EP 0 245 700 A1, and in the article by B. Singh and coworkers, “Carbamylmethylated Melamines, Novel Crosslinkers for the Coatings Industry” in Advanced Organic Coatings Science and Technology Series, 1991, Volume 13, pages 193 to 207; carboxyl-containing compounds or resins, as described for example in patent DE 196 52 813 A1; compounds or resins containing epoxide groups, as described for example in patents and patent applications EP 0 299 420 A1, DE 22 14 650 B1, DE 27 49 576 B1, U.S. Pat. No. 4,091,048 A1 or U.S. Pat. No. 3,781,379 A1; blocked and nonblocked polyisocyanates, as described for example in patents U.S. Pat. No. 4,444,954 A1, DE 196 17 086 A1, DE 196 31 269 A1, EP 0 004 571 A1 or EP 0 582 051 A1; and/or tris(alkoxycarbonylamino)triazines, as described in patents U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,939,213 A1, 5,084,541 A1, 5,288,865 A1 or EP 0 604 922 A1.

The epoxides and the nonblocked polyisocyanates, especially the polyisocyanates, are employed in two-component or multicomponent systems.

Where the aqueous basecoat materials of the invention are one-component systems, it is preferred to use amino resins as the predominant or sole crosslinking agents. The other abovementioned crosslinking agents may be used as additional crosslinking agents for further advantageous variation of the profile of properties of the aqueous basecoat materials of the invention and of the basecoats of the invention and multicoat color and/or effect coating systems of the invention produced therefrom, in which case their proportion among the crosslinking agents is <50% by weight.

Preferably, the crosslinking agents are employed in the aqueous basecoat materials of the invention in an amount of from 0.1 to 30, more preferably from 0.3 to 20, with particular preference from 0.5 to 10, and in particular from 1.0 to 8.0% by weight, based in each case on the overall weight of the respective aqueous basecoat material of the invention.

In addition to the above-described constituents, the coating material of the invention, especially the aqueous basecoat material, may comprise customary and known binders and/or additives in effective amounts.

Examples of customary and known binders are oligomeric and polymeric, thermally curable, linear and/or branched and/or block, comb and/or random poly(meth)acrylates or acrylate copolymers, especially those described in patent DE 197 36 535 A1, polyesters, especially those described in patents DE 40 09 858 Al or DE 44 37 535 A1, alkyds, acrylated polyesters, polylactones, polycarbonates, polyethers, epoxy resin-amine adducts, (meth)acrylate diols, partially hydrolyzed polyvinyl esters, polyurethanes and acrylated polyurethanes, such as those described in patents EP 0 521 928 A1, EP 0 522 420 A1, EP 0 522 419 A1, EP 0 730 613 A1 or DE 44 37 535 A1, or polyureas.

If the coating material of the invention is to be curable not only thermally but also with actinic radiation (dual cure), especially UV radiation and/or electron beams, it comprises at least one constituent which is activatable with actinic radiation.

Suitable activatable constituents are in principle all oligomeric and polymeric compounds that are curable with actinic radiation, especially UV radiation and/or electron beams, and which are commonly used in the field of UV-curable or electron-beam-curable coating materials.

It is advantageous to use radiation-curable binders as activatable constituents. Examples of suitable radiation-curable binders are (meth)acrylic-functional (meth)acrylic copolymers, polyether acrylates, polyester acrylates, unsaturated polyesters, epoxy acrylates, urethane acrylates, amino acrylates, melamine acrylates, silicone acrylates, isocyanato acrylates, and the corresponding methacrylates. It is preferred to use binders which are free from aromatic structural units. Preference is therefore given to the use of urethane (meth)acrylates and/or polyester (meth)acrylates, aliphatic urethane acrylates being particularly preferred.

Examples of suitable additives are

-   -   thermally curable reactive diluents such as positionally         isomeric diethyloctanediols or hydroxyl-containing hyperbranched         compounds or dendrimers, as described in patent applications DE         198 09 643 A1, DE 198 40 605 A1 or DE 198 05 421 A1;     -   reactive diluents curable with actinic radiation, as described         in Römpp Lexikon Lacke und Druckfarben, Georg Thieme Verlag,         Stuttgart, New York, 1998, “Reactive diluents”, pages 491 and         492, in the German patent application DE 199 08 013 A1, column         6, line 63 to column 8, line 65, in the German patent         application DE 199 08 018 A1, page 11, lines 31 to 33, in the         German patent application DE 198 18 735 A1, column 7, lines 1 to         35, or in the German patent DE 197 09 467 C1, page 4, line 36 to         page 5, line 56;     -   photoinitiators and coinitiators, as described in Römpp Lexikon         Lacke und Druckfarben, Georg Thieme Verlag, Stuttgart, 1998,         pages 444 to 446;     -   low-boiling and/or high-boiling organic solvents (“long         solvents”);     -   UV absorbers;     -   light stabilizers such as HALS compounds, benzotriazoles or         oxalanilides;     -   free-radical scavengers;     -   thermolabile free-radical initiators such as organic peroxides,         organic azo compounds or C—C-cleaving initiators such as dialkyl         peroxides, peroxocarboxylic acids, peroxodicarbonates, peroxide         esters, hydroperoxides, ketone peroxides, azo dinitriles or         benzpinacol silyl ethers;     -   crosslinking catalysts such as dibutyltin dilaurate, lithium         decanoate or zinc octoate, or amine-blocked organic sulfonic         acids;     -   devolatilizers such as diazadicycloundecane;     -   slip additives;     -   polymerization inhibitors;     -   defoamers;     -   emulsifiers, especially nonionic emulsifiers such as alkoxylated         alkanols, polyols, phenols and alkylphenols or anionic         emulsifiers such as alkali metal salts or ammonium salts of         alkanecarboxylic acids, alkanesulfonic acids, and sulfo acids of         alkoxylated alkanols, polyols, phenols and alkylphenols;     -   wetting agents such as siloxanes, fluorine compounds, carboxylic         monoesters, phosphates, polyacrylic acids and their copolymers,         or polyurethanes;     -   adhesion promoters such as tricyclodecanedimethanol;     -   leveling agents;     -   film-forming auxiliaries such as cellulose derivatives;     -   rheology control additives, such as those known from patents WO         94/22968, EP 0 276 501 A1, EP 0 249 201 A1 or WO 97/12945;         crosslinked polymeric microparticles, as disclosed for example         in EP 0 008 127 A1; inorganic phyllosilicates, preferably         smectites, especially montmorillonites and hectorites, such as         aluminum-magnesium silicates, sodium-magnesium and         sodium-magnesium-fluorine-lithium phyllosilicates of the         montmorillonite type or inorganic phyllosilicates such as         aluminum-magnesium silicates, sodium-magnesium and         sodium-magnesium-fluorine-lithium phyllosilicates of the         montmorillonite type (for further details reference is made to         the book by Johan Bieleman, “Lackadditive”, Wiley-VCH, Weinheim,         N.Y., 1998, pages 17 to 30); silicas such as Aerosils; or         synthetic polymers containing ionic and/or associative groups         such as polyvinyl alcohol, poly(meth)acrylamide,         poly(meth)acrylic acid, polyvinylpyrrolidone, styrenemaleic         anhydride or ethylene-maleic anhydride copolymers and their         derivatives or hydrophobically modified polyacrylates; or         associative thickeners based on polyurethane, as described in         Römpp Lexikon Lacke und Druckfarben, Georg Thieme Verlag,         Stuttgart, N.Y., 1998, “Thickeners”, pages 599 to 600, and in         the textbook “Lackadditive” by Johan Bieleman, Wiley-VCH,         Weinheim, N.Y., 1998, pages 51 to 59 and 65; and/or     -   flame retardants.

Further examples of suitable coatings additives are described in the textbook “Lackadditive” by Johan Bieleman, Wiley-VCH, Weinheim, N.Y., 1998.

The aqueous basecoat materials of the invention preferably have at spray viscosity a solids content of from 5.0 to 60, more preferably from 10 to 60, with particular preference from 13 to 60, and in particular from 13 to 55% by weight, based in each case on the overall weight of the respective aqueous basecoat material of the invention.

The preparation of the aqueous basecoat material of the invention has no special features but instead takes place in a customary and known manner by mixing of the above-described constituents in appropriate mixing equipment such as stirred tanks, dissolvers, Ultra-Turrax, inline dissolvers, stirred mills or extruders in accordance with the techniques suitable for preparing the respective aqueous basecoat materials.

The aqueous basecoat material of the invention is used to produce the coatings of the invention, especially multicoat coating systems, on primed or unprimed substrates.

Suitable substrates are all surfaces for coating which are not damaged by curing of the coatings present thereon using heat, or heat and actinic radiation. Suitable substrates comprise, for example, metals, plastics, wood, ceramic, stone, textile, fiber assemblies, leather, glass, glass fibers, glass wool and rock wool, mineral-bound and resin-bound building materials, such as plasterboard panels and cement slabs or roof tiles, and composites of these materials. The comments made above also apply, mutatis mutandis, to the primer-surfacers, solid-color topcoat materials, and clearcoat materials of the invention, and to the adhesives and sealing compounds of the invention.

Accordingly, the coating materials, adhesives and sealing compounds of the invention are suitable for the coating, bonding, and sealing of motor vehicle bodies and parts thereof, the interior and exterior of motor vehicles, the inside and outside of buildings, doors, windows, and furniture, and also for coating, bonding, and sealing as part of the industrial coating of plastics parts, small parts, coils, containers, packaging, electrical components, and white goods.

In the case of electrically conductive substrates it is possible to use primers, which are prepared in a customary and known manner from electrodeposition coating materials. Both anodic and cathodic electrocoat materials are suitable for this purpose, but especially cathodics.

With the multicoat coating system of the invention it is also possible to coat primed or unprimed plastics such as, for example, ABS, AMMA, ASA, CA, CAB, EP, UF, CF, MF, MPF, PF, PAN, PA, PE, HDPE, LDPE, LLDPE, UHMWPE, PET, PMMA, PP, PS, SB, PUR, PVC, RF, SAN, PBT, PPE, POM, PUR-RIM, SMC, BMC, PP-EPDM and UP (abbreviations to DIN 7728T1) and also polymer blends thereof or the fiber-reinforced composite materials produced using these plastics.

In the case of unfunctionalized and/or apolar substrate surfaces, these may be subjected prior to coating in a known manner to a pretreatment, such as with a plasma or by flaming, or may be provided with an aqueous primer.

The multicoat coating systems of the invention may be produced in a variety of ways in accordance with the invention.

A first preferred variant of the coating process of the invention comprises the following steps:

-   (I) preparing a basecoat film by applying the aqueous basecoat     material of the invention to the substrate, -   (II) drying the basecoat film, -   (III) preparing a clearcoat film by applying a clearcoat material to     the basecoat film, and -   (IV) jointly curing the basecoat film and the clearcoat film, to     give the basecoat and the clearcoat (wet-on-wet technique).

This variant offers particular advantages especially in the context of the coating of plastics, and is therefore employed with particular preference in that utility.

A second preferred variant of the coating process of the invention comprises the following steps:

-   (I) preparing a primer-surfacer film by applying a primer-surfacer     to the substrate, -   (II) curing the primer-surfacer film, to give the primer-surfacer     coat, -   (III) preparing a basecoat film by applying the aqueous basecoat     material of the invention to the primer-surfacer coat, -   (IV) drying the basecoat film, -   (V) preparing a clearcoat film by applying a clearcoat material to     the basecoat film, and -   (VI) jointly curing the basecoat film and the clearcoat film, to     give the basecoat and the clearcoat (wet-on-wet technique).

A third preferred variant of the coating process of the invention comprises the following steps:

-   (I) preparing a primer-surfacer film by applying a primer-surfacer     to the substrate, -   (II) drying the primer-surfacer film, -   (III) preparing a basecoat film by applying the aqueous basecoat     material of the invention to the primer-surfacer film, -   (IV) drying the basecoat film, -   (V) preparing a clearcoat film by applying a clearcoat material to     the basecoat film, and -   (VI) jointly curing the primer-surfacer film, the basecoat film and     the clearcoat film, to give the primer-surfacer, the basecoat and     the clearcoat (extended wet-on-wet technique).

A fourth preferred variant of the coating process of the invention comprises the following steps:

-   (I) depositing an electrodeposition coating film on the substrate, -   (II) drying the electrodeposition coating film, -   (II) preparing a first basecoat film by applying a first basecoat     material to the electrodeposition coating film, -   (III) jointly curing the electrodeposition coating film and the     first basecoat film, to give the electrodeposition coating and the     first basecoat (wet-on-wet technique), -   (IV) preparing a second basecoat film by applying a second basecoat     material to the first basecoat, -   (V) drying the second basecoat film, -   (VI) preparing a clearcoat film by applying a clearcoat material to     the basecoat film, and -   (VII) jointly curing the second basecoat film and clearcoat film, to     give the second basecoat and the clearcoat (wet-on-wet technique).

The three last-mentioned variants offer particular advantages especially in the context of the coating of automobile bodies and are therefore employed with very particular preference in that utility.

It is a further particular advantage of the aqueous basecoat material of the invention and of the coating processes of the invention that the aqueous basecoat material may be combined not only with the primer-surfacer of the invention but also with all customary and known primer-surfacers.

Yet another special advantage of the aqueous basecoat material of the invention and of the process of the invention proves to be that the aqueous basecoat material may be combined not only, outstandingly, with the clearcoat material of the invention but also with all customary and known clearcoat materials.

Clearcoat materials which are known per se are one-component or multicomponent clearcoats, powder clearcoats, clearcoat slurries, UV-curable clearcoats, or sealers, as known from the patent applications, patents and publications DE 42 04 518A1, EP 0 594 068A1, EP 0 594 071 A1, EP 0 594 142A1, EP 0 604 992 A1, EP 0 596 460 A1, WO 94/10211, WO 94/10212, WO 94/10213, WO 94/22969 or WO 92/22615, U.S. Pat. No. 5,474,811 A1, U.S. Pat. No. 5,356,669 A1 or U.S. Pat. No. 5,605,965 A1, DE 42 22 194 A1, in the product information from BASF Lacke+Farben AG entitled “Pulverlacke” [Powder coatings], 1990, in the BASF Coatings AG company brochure “Pulverlacke, Pulverlacke für industrielle Anwendungen” [Powder coating materials, powder coatings for industrial applications], January 2000, U.S. Pat. No. 4,268,542 A1, DE 195 40 977 A1, DE 195 18 392 A1, DE 196 17 086 A1, DE-A-196 13 547, DE 196 52 813 A1, DE 198 14 471 A1, DE 198 18 735 A1, WO 98/40170, DE 199 08 013 A1, DE 199 08 018 A1, EP 0 844 286 A1, EP 0 928 800A1, EP 0 636 669A1, EP 0 410 242A1, EP 0 783 534A1, EP 0 650 978A1, EP 0 650 979A1, EP 0 650 985A1, EP 0 540 884A1, EP 0 568 967 A1, EP 0 054 505 A1, EP 0 002 866 A1, DE 197 09 467 A1, DE 42 03 278A1, DE 33 16 593A1, DE 38 36 370A1, DE24 36 186A1, DE 20 03 579 B1, WO 97/46549, WO 99/14254, U.S. Pat. No. 5,824,373 A1, U.S. Pat. No. 4,675,234 A1, U.S. Pat. No. 4,634,602 A1, U.S. Pat. No. 4,424,252 A1, U.S. Pat. No. 4,208,313 A1, U.S. Pat. No. 4,163,810 A1, U.S. Pat. No. 4,129,488 A1, U.S. Pat. No. 4,064,161 A1, U.S. Pat. No. 3,974,303 A1, EP 0 844 286 A1, DE 43 03 570 A1, DE 34 07 087 A1, DE 40 11 045 A1, DE40 25 215 A1, DE 38 28 098 A1, DE40 20 316 A1 or DE41 22 743 A1.

Clearcoat slurries offer particular advantages for the multicoat color and/or effect coating system of the invention and are therefore used with particular preference in accordance with the invention.

Furthermore, the clearcoats may additionally be coated further with at least one other clearcoat, for example, an organically modified ceramic layer, thereby making it possible to improve significantly the scratch resistance of the multicoat coating system of the invention.

The aqueous basecoat material of the invention may be applied by all customary application methods, such as spraying, knifecoating, brushing, flowcoating, dipping, impregnating, trickling, or rolling, for example. The substrate to be coated may itself be at rest, with the application equipment or unit being moved. Alternatively, the substrate to be coated, especially a coil, may be moved, with the application unit being at rest relative to the substrate or being moved appropriately.

Preference is given to the use of spray application methods, such as compressed-air spraying, airless spraying, high-speed rotation, electrostatic spray application (ESTA), alone or in conjunction with hot spray application such as hot-air spraying, for example. Application may be conducted at temperatures of max. 70 to 80° C., so that suitable application viscosities are achieved without the short-term thermal stress being accompanied by any change in or damage to the aqueous basecoat material or its overspray, which may be intended for reprocessing. For instance, hot spraying may be configured such that the aqueous basecoat material is heated in the spray nozzle for only a very short time, or is heated just a short way upstream of the spray nozzle.

The spray booth used for the application may be operated, for example, with an optionally temperature-controllable circulation, which is operated with an appropriate absorption medium for the overspray, an example being the aqueous basecoat material itself.

In general, the primer-surfacer coating film, basecoat film and clearcoat film are applied in a wet film thickness such that they cure to give coats having the coat thicknesses which are necessary and advantageous for their functions. In the case of the primer-surfacer coat, this coat thickness is from 10 to 150, preferably from 10 to 120, with particular preference from 10 to 100, and in particular from 10 to 90 μm; in the case of the basecoat it is from 5 to 50, preferably from 5 to 40, with particular preference from 5 to 30, and in particular from 10 to 25 μm; and in the case of the clearcoats it is from 10 to 100, preferably from 15 to 80, with particular preference from 20 to 70, and in particular from 25 to 60 μm. It is also possible, however, to employ the multicoat system known from the European patent application EP 0 817 614 A1, comprising an electrodeposition coat, a first basecoat, a second basecoat, and a clearcoat, in which the overall coat thickness of the first and second basecoats is from 15 to 40 μm and the coat thickness of the first basecoat is from 20 to 50% of said overall coat thickness.

The primer-surfacer coating film, basecoat film and clearcoat film are cured thermally, or thermally and with actinic radiation (dual cure).

Full curing may take place after a certain rest time. Its duration may be from 30 s to 2 h, preferably from 1 min to 1 h, and in particular from 1 min to 45 min. The rest time serves, for example, for the coating films to flow and undergo devolatilization, or for the evaporation of volatile constituents such as solvents. The rest time may be assisted and/or shortened by the application of elevated temperatures of up to 90° C. and/or by a reduced atmospheric humidity <10 g water/kg air, especially <5 g/kg air, provided this does not entail any damage or change to the coating films, such as premature complete crosslinking, for instance.

The thermal curing has no special features in terms of its method but instead takes place in accordance with the customary and known methods, such as heating in a convection oven or irradiation with IR lamps. This thermal curing may also take place in stages.

Advantageously, thermal curing takes place at a temperature of from 50 to 100° C., with particular preference from 60 to 100° C., and in particular from 80 to 100° C., for a time of from 1 min up to 2 h, with particular preference from 2 min up to 1 h, and in particular from 3 min to 45 min. This process is employed in particular in the case of two-component or multicomponent systems.

If one-component systems and substrates of high heat resistance are used, thermal crosslinking may also be conducted at temperatures above 100° C. In this case it is generally advisable not to exceed temperatures of 180° C., preferably 160° C., and in particular 155° C.

Curing with actinic radiation is preferably conducted with UV radiation and/or electron beams. It is preferred to employ a dose of from 1000 to 3000, preferably from 1100 to 2900, with particular preference from 1200 to 2800, with very particular preference from 1300 to 2700, and in particular from 1400 to 2600 mJ/cm². If desired, this curing may be supplemented by actinic radiation from other radiation sources. In the case of electron beams, it is preferred to operate under an inert gas atmosphere. This may be ensured, for example, by supplying carbon dioxide and/or nitrogen directly to the surface of the coating films. When curing with UV radiation, as well, it is also possible to operate under inert gas or an oxygen-depleted atmosphere in order to prevent the formation of ozone.

For curing with actinic radiation, the customary and known radiation sources and optical auxiliary measures are employed. Examples of suitable radiation sources are flashlights from the company VISIT, high-pressure or low-pressure mercury vapor lamps, with or without lead doping in order to open up a radiation window of up to 405 nm, or electron beam sources. The apparatus and conditions for these curing methods are described, for example, in R. Holmes, U. V. and E. B. Curing Formulations for Printing Inks, Coatings and Paints, SITA Technology, Academic Press, London, United Kingdom 1984. Further examples of suitable processes and apparatus for curing with actinic radiation are described in the German patent application DE 198 18 735 A1, column 10, lines 31 to 61. In the case of workpieces of complex shape, such as are envisaged for automobile bodies, those regions not accessible to direct radiation (shadow regions) such as cavities, folds and other structural undercuts may be (partially) cured using pointwise, small-area or all-round emitters in conjunction with an automated movement means for the irradiation of cavities or edges.

Curing may be carried out in stages, i.e., by means of multiple exposure to light or with actinic radiation. It may also be carried out alternatingly; i.e., curing is conducted in alternation with UV radiation and electron beams.

If thermal curing and curing with actinic radiation are employed together, these methods may be used simultaneously or in alternation. If the two curing methods are used in alternation, it is possible, for example, to begin with thermal curing and to end with actinic radiation curing. In other cases it may prove advantageous to begin with curing with actinic radiation and to end with it. Particular advantages result if the aqueous basecoat film is cured in two separate process steps, first with actinic radiation and then thermally.

The application and curing techniques described above are also employed with the other coating films (primer-surfacer films, solid-color topcoat films, clearcoat films) and also with the adhesives and sealing compounds of the invention.

The multicoat coating systems of the invention exhibit an outstanding profile of properties which is very well balanced in terms of mechanics, optics, corrosion resistance, and adhesion. Thus the multicoat coating systems of the invention possess the high optical quality and intercoat adhesion required by the market and do not give rise to any problems such as deficient condensation resistance, cracking (mudcracking) or leveling defects or surface structures in the clearcoats.

In particular, the multicoat coating systems of the invention exhibit an outstanding metallic effect, an excellent D.O.I. (distinctness of the reflected image), and an outstanding surface smoothness. They are weathering-stable, resistant to chemicals and bird droppings, are scratch resistant, and exhibit very good reflow behavior.

Not least, however, it proves to be a very special advantage that through the use of the aqueous basecoat materials of the invention in the production of the multicoat coatings of the invention no cracking or popping marks result even when the aqueous basecoat films are overcoated with powder slurry clearcoats and subsequently baked together with them. By this means it is possible to combine the particular advantages of aqueous basecoat materials with the particular advantages of clearcoat slurries. Moreover, these very multicoat coating systems of the invention prove to be particularly firmly adhering, even when used as refinishes.

The adhesives and sealing compounds of the invention are outstandingly suitable for the production of adhesive films and seals, which retain particularly high bond strength and particularly high sealing capacity even under extreme and/or rapidly changing climatic conditions.

Accordingly, the primed or unprimed substrates of the invention coated with at least one coating of the invention, bonded with at least one adhesive film of the invention, and/or sealed with at least one seal of the invention, combine a particularly advantageous profile of performance properties with a particularly long service life, so making them particularly valuable economically and technically.

EXAMPLES Example 1 The Preparation of an Inventive Polyurethane

In a reaction vessel equipped with stirrer, internal thermometer, reflux condenser and electrical heating, 46.98 parts by weight of a polyester polyol (prepared from, based on the polyester polyol, 42.472% by weight of isophthalic acid, 16.368% by weight of neopentyl glycol, 4.022% by weight of phthalic anhydride, 36.439% by weight of neopentyl glycol hydroxypivalate and 0.699% by weight of ethylbutylpropanediol; acid number: 4.1 mg KOH/g resin solids; hydroxyl number: 73.7 mg KOH/g resin solids; number-average molecular weight: 1462 daltons; solids content: 80% by weight in methyl ethyl ketone), 6.97 parts by weight of methyl ethyl ketone, 0.42 part by weight of ethylbutylpropanediol, 4.36 parts by weight of dimethylolpropionic acid and 21.59 parts by weight of a commercial diisocyanate (Desmodur® W from Bayer AG) were weighed in and heated to 80° C. under inert gas with stirring. At a free isocyanate group content of 3.1% by weight, based on the solids, 5.8 parts by weight of alpha-terpineol (90 percent) and 0.51 part by weight of dibutyltin dilaurate were added to the reaction mixture. The resulting reaction mixture was heated at 80° C. until free isocyanate groups were no longer detectable. The resulting polyurethane solution was adjusted to a solids content of 70% by weight with 13.37 parts by weight of methyl ethyl ketone.

The polyurethane of the invention had a solids content of 71.6% by weight (1 hour/135° C.), an acid number of 31.8 mg KOH/g resin solids, and a viscosity of 1.6 dPas (polyurethane solution:N-methylpyrrolidone=1:1).

The inventive polyurethane was outstandingly suitable for the preparation of coating materials, adhesives, and sealing compounds which were curable with actinic radiation, or thermally and with actinic radiation. In particular, it was outstandingly suitable for preparing the inventive graft copolymers.

Example 2 The Preparation of an Inventive Primary Dispersion of a Graft Copolymer

In a reaction vessel equipped with stirrer, internal thermometer, reflux condenser, two feed vessels and electrical heating, 33.97 parts by weight of the polyurethane solution from example 1 were weighed in and heated to 78° C. At this temperature, 0.98 part by weight of dimethylethanolamine was metered in at a uniform rate over the course of 15 minutes. The resulting mixture was stirred at 78° C. for 30 minutes. At this temperature, 35.34 parts by weight of deionized water were added over the course of one hour, and the resulting mixture was then homogenized for an hour.

A monomer mixture composed of 4.24 parts by weight of hydroxypropyl methacrylate, 1.21 parts by weight of n-butyl acrylate, 2.41 parts by weight of styrene, 2.41 parts by weight of tert-butylcyclohexyl acrylate and 1.78 parts by weight of methyl methacrylate was metered into the homogenized mixture at a uniform rate over the course of 4 hours at 78° C. Simultaneously with the monomer feed, the initiator feed was commenced. For this feed, 0.63 part by weight of tert-butyl peroxyethylhexanoate was metered in at a uniform rate over the course of 4.5 hours.

After the end of the initiator feed, the reaction mixture was polymerized at 78° C. for 2 hours more. The reaction mixture was then cooled and adjusted to a solids content of 38% by weight with 17.03 parts by weight of deionized water.

The inventive primary dispersion of the graft copolymer had a solids content of 38.1% by weight (1 hour/135° C.), an acid number of 20.8 mg KOH/g resin solids, and a pH of 8.4. The residual monomer content was less than 0.1% by weight. The graft copolymer had a number-average molecular weight of 5733 daltons, a mass-average molecular weight of 41,031 daltons, and a polydispersity of 7.16.

The inventive primary dispersion was fully stable on storage. Even after storage under changing temperatures for several months, no settling was observed. The primary dispersion was suitable for use per se as a physically curing coating material and adhesive and as a physically curing sealing compound, and gave very good coats, adhesive films, and seals. In particular, however, it was outstandingly suitable for preparing aqueous basecoat materials. The inventive aqueous basecoat materials gave multicoat color and/or effect coating systems of outstanding quality. The multicoat paint systems of the invention were outstandingly suitable, therefore, for the finishing of top-class automobiles.

Example 3 The Preparation of an Inventive Secondary Dispersion of a Graft Copolymer

A reaction vessel equipped with stirrer, internal thermometer, reflux condenser, two feed vessels, and electrical heating was charged with 34.01 parts by weight of polyurethane solution, and this initial charge was heated to 78° Celsius. At this temperature, a monomer mixture composed of 4.08 parts by weight of hydroxypropyl methacrylate, 1.14 parts by weight of n-butyl acrylate, 2.32 parts by weight of styrene, 2.32 parts by weight of tert-butylcyclohexyl acrylate, and 1.76 parts by weight of methyl methacrylate was metered in at a uniform rate over the course of 4 hours. The initiator feed was commenced simultaneously with the monomer feed. For the initiator feed, 0.57 part by weight of tert-butyl peroxyethyl-hexanoate was metered in at a uniform rate over the course of 4.5 hours. After the end of the initiator feed, the resulting reaction mixture was polymerized at 78° C. for 2 hours more. Then 1.48 parts by weight of dimethylethanolamine were added at this temperature over the course of 15 minutes. The resulting mixture was homogenized for 30 minutes and then admixed with 52.32 parts by weight of deionized water.

The resulting inventive secondary dispersion had a solids content of 37.7% by weight (1 hour/135° C.), an acid number of 20.2 mg KOH/g resin solids and a pH of 9.6. Its residual monomer content was below 0.1% by weight. The graft copolymer had a number-average molecular weight of 6567 daltons, a mass-average molecular weight of 35,945 daltons, and a polydispersity of 5.47.

The inventive secondary dispersion was fully stable on storage. Even after storage under changing temperatures for several months, no settling was observed. The secondary dispersion was suitable for use per se as a physically curing coating material and adhesive and as a physically curing sealing compound, and gave very good coats, adhesive films, and seals. In particular, however, it was outstandingly suitable for preparing aqueous basecoat materials. The inventive aqueous basecoat materials gave multicoat color and/or effect coating systems of outstanding quality. The multicoat coating systems of the invention were outstandingly suitable, therefore, for the finishing of top-class automobiles. 

1. A graft copolymer comprising a (co)polymerization product of at least one olefinically unsaturated monomer and at least one hydrophilic or hydrophobic polyurethane containing on average per molecule at least one olefinically unsaturated terpene unit, wherein the terpene unit is at least one of pendant, internal, and terminal, and wherein the terpene unit is at least one of an acyclic terpene unit and a cyclic terpene unit.
 2. The graft copolymer of claim 1, wherein the at least one terpene unit is selected from the group consisting of monoterpene units (C10), sesquiterpene units (C15), diterpene units (C20), and combinations thereof.
 3. The graft copolymer as claimed in claim 2, wherein the monoterpene unit is at least one of acyclic, inonocyclic, and bicyclic, and wherein the monoterpene unit is at least monovalent.
 4. The graft copolymer of claim 3, wherein the monoterpene units are selected from the group consisting of ocimene radicals, myrcene radicals, geraniol radicals, nerol radicals, linalool radicals, citronellol radicals, ipsenol radicals, p-menthene radicals, p-menthenone radicals, alpha-terpinene radicals, gamma-terpinene radicals, terpinolene radicals, alpha-phellandrene radicals, beta-phellandrene radicals, limonene radicals, carvone radicals, carvenone radicals, camphene radicals, and combinations thereof.
 5. The graft copolymer of claim 4, wherein the monoterpene unit is a p-menthene radical.
 6. The graft copolymer of claim 5, wherein the monoterpene unit is a p-menth-1-en-8-yl radical.
 7. The graft copolymer of claim 2, wherein the sesquiterpene unit is at least one of acyclic, monocyclic, bicyclic, and tricyclic, and wherein the sesquiterpene unit is at least monovalent.
 8. The graft copolymer of claim 7, wherein the sesquiterpene radicals are selected from the group consisting of farnesol radicals, nerolidol radicals, hernandulcin radicals, bisabolene radicals, cadinene radicals, beta-selinene radicals, alpha-santalene radicals, and combinations thereof.
 9. The graft copolymer of claim 2, wherein the diterpene units are selected from the group consisting of acyclic radicals, monocyclic radicals, bicyclic radicals, tricyclic radicals, and tetracyclic radicals, monovalent diterpene radicals, polyvalent diterpene radicals, and combinations thereof.
 10. The graft copolymer of claim 9, wherein the diterpene radicals are selected from the group consisting of phytol radicals, vitamin A radicals, camphorene radicals, abietic acid radicals, dihydroabietic acid radicals, and combinations thereof.
 11. The graft copolymer of claim 1, wherein the polyurethane comprises a reaction product of (i) at least one polyurethane prepolymer containing at least one free isacyanate group per molecule, and (ii) at least one olefinically unsaturated terpene containing at least one isocyanate-reactive functional group, wherein the at least one terpene is at least one of an acyclic terpene, and a cyclic terpene, and wherein the at least one terpene is at least one of a monoterpene (C10), a sesquiterpene (C15), and a diterpene (C20).
 12. The graft copolymer of claim 11, wherein the at least one isocyanate-reactive functional group is selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl groups, thiol groups, primary amino groups, secondary amino groups, and combinations thereof.
 13. The graft copolymer of claim 12, wherein the at least one isocyanate-reactive functional group is selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl groups, thiol groups, and combinations thereof.
 14. The graft copolymer of claim 11, wherein the isocyanate-reactive monoterpenes are selected from the group consisting of geraniol, nerol, linalool, citronellol, ipsenol, p-menthenols, p-menthenethiols, substituted ocimene, substituted p-menthenone, substituted alpha-terpinene, substituted gamma-terpinene, substituted terpinolene, substituted alpha-phellandrene, substituted beta-phellandrene substituted limonene, substituted carvone, substituted carvenone, substituted camphene, and combinations thereof, wherein the preceding substituted materials are substituted with at least one of hydroxyl and thiol.
 15. The graft copolymer of claim 14, wherein the isocyanate-reactive monoterpenes are selected from the group consisting of alpha-terpineol, 1-p-menthene-8-thiol, and combinations thereof.
 16. The graft copolymer of claim 15, wherein the isocyanate-reactive monoterpene is alpha-terpineol.
 17. The graft copolymer of claim 11, wherein the isocyanate-reactive sesquiterpenes are selected from the group consisting of farnesol, nerolidol, hernandulcin, substituted bisabolene, substituted cadinene, substituted beta-selinene, substituted alpha-santalene, and combinations thereof wherein the preceding substituted materials are substituted with at least one of hydroxyl and thiol.
 18. The graft copolymer of claim 11, wherein the isocyanate-reactive diterpenes are selected from the group consisting of phytol, vitamin A, substituted camphorene, substituted abietic acid, substituted dihydroabietic acid, and combinations thereof, wherein the preceding substituted materials are substituted with at least one of hydroxyl and thiol.
 19. The graft copolymer of claim 11, wherein the polyurethane prepolymer comprises a reaction product of at least one diisocyanate and at least one compound containing two isocyanate-reactive groups.
 20. The graft copolymer of claim 1, wherein the graft copolymer is one of a sealing compound, an adhesive, or a coating material.
 21. A method comprising applying the graft copolymer of claim 1 to a substrate, wherein the substrate is one of a motor vehicle body, a motor vehicle part, a building, a door, a window, furniture, a plastics part, a coil, a container, a packaging, an electrical component or a white good. 